EPA affecting others

7/7/2014

EPA affecting others

On April 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a proposed rule to expand federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Although the agencies have gone to great lengths to assure farmers, ranchers and rural businesses this rule will not affect them, nothing could be further from the truth.

The proposal attempts to bring ponds, puddles, ditches and even dry land under federal regulation. This will require more permits for routine farming activities. Despite what they have said, the agencies narrowed statutory exemptions for agriculture under the CWA. These requirements will prevent expansions, conservation practice implementation, and other beneficial activities that provide jobs and water quality benefits for Kansas. Furthermore, the rule will require the use of additional state resources as the federal government forces Kansas to regulate greater areas of the state under the CWA.

Did you know? For just $0.99 you can get full site access today. Click Here

EPA affecting others

On April 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a proposed rule to expand federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Although the agencies have gone to great lengths to assure farmers, ranchers and rural businesses this rule will not affect them, nothing could be further from the truth.

The proposal attempts to bring ponds, puddles, ditches and even dry land under federal regulation. This will require more permits for routine farming activities. Despite what they have said, the agencies narrowed statutory exemptions for agriculture under the CWA. These requirements will prevent expansions, conservation practice implementation, and other beneficial activities that provide jobs and water quality benefits for Kansas. Furthermore, the rule will require the use of additional state resources as the federal government forces Kansas to regulate greater areas of the state under the CWA.

Members of the Kansas Agricultural Alliance, representing Kansas agriculture and rural businesses, sent a letter to Gov. Sam Brownback, Attorney General Derek Schmidt and our congressional delegation, asking them to help oppose the proposed rule. All Kansans should join us in writing the EPA and our congressional delegation asking them to ditch the rule.